Analysis of cannabinoids in fiber hemp plant varieties (Cannabis sativa L.) by high-performance liquid chromatography

Summary An analytical procedure was developed for the detection of neutral and acidic cannabinoids in herbal cannabis without the need of any preliminary derivatization. The method was used to assay cannabinoid content of over one hundred fiber hemp samples grown in different Italian localities and harvested at different maturation level degrees during the summer. No interferences were observed due to the vegetal matrix. The influence of genetic factors and environmental conditions on cannabinoid content is discussed; the results may be of interest to enhance potential of fiber hemp in compliance with law enforcement purposes. Part of this work was presented at the 7^th Meeting on Recent Developments in Pharmaceutical Analysis, September 16–20, 1997, Island of Elba, Italy.